I am a
theoretical physicist. Topics I have worked on in the past include the
connections between particle physics and cosmology, properties of topological
defects, nonperturbative phenomena in quantum field
theory, and quantum aspects of the early universe and of black holes. For
several years, my central interest has been in the theory ofquantum information, quantum computing, and
quantum error correction.

Broadly
speaking, quantum information science addresses how the principles of quantum
physics can be harnessed to improve the acquisition, transmission, and
processing of information. A quantum computer would be a new type of machine
that, by exploiting the unusual quantum properties of information, could
perform certain types of calculations far more efficiently than any foreseeable
classical computer. I'm particularly interested in developing new schemes for
protecting intricate quantum systems from decoherence
and other sources of error. Here is a 6-minute
animated introduction to the subject.

For further
information about quantum computation, and other useful links, see the Physics 219 home
page.